Robert Huth joked he had 'taught' Marouane Fellaini well after the Manchester United midfielder was pictured pulling the hair of Arsenal's Matteo Guendouzi.
The Arsenal youngster was racing clear and in a game that soon became dominated by the fouls, Fellaini clutched onto the Frenchman's hair to bring him down.
For Huth, the moment on Wednesday night evoked memories of his own tug on Fellaini's now obsolete afro hair.
The former Leicester City defender has previous with the gangly midfielder after picking up a three match ban for pulling on the Belgian's afro at Old Trafford in 2016.
That sparked a furious reaction from Fellaini as he elbowed Huth and both were reprimanded.
In an attempt to defend the actions of his midfielder, then United boss Louis van Gaal said: 'It's not in the books that someone has to grab by the hair and then pull it behind - only in sex masochism.'
The latest hair-pulling incident involving Fellaini came in for heavy criticism from Arsenal fans who want to see retrospective action taken.
Unlike the Huth incident, this foul was seen by referee Andre Mariner and the player was spoken to.
He was not booked and many Gunners supporters felt he had been let off lightly.
Twitter user NikonPhil was part of a growing consensus after the match, tweeting: 'Fellaini should be banned, no excuses for the way he plays.'
There was agreement from CMorgs1975, who added: 'He's a compete low life. This should be reviewed and Fellaini charged.'
One user, GRMDAILY, even likened the act as being similar to that of a punch or a bite.
Howord12
210
No respect for the opposition this fella has been going onto a football pitch with the intention of hurting one or two of them before the game even starts for years and years. Despicable aggressive man who thinks this is all part of the game.
Deburey
187
No yellow card and no excuse for not giving him a retrospective ban, this should be in the same line of punishment as biting or spitting, disgusting man always has been.
typhoonv
175
Fellaini will get away with it like he always does. He has only ever had one suspension given to him by the FA discipline panel, despite all the elbows and hair pulling he does every single game.
Hgame
161
If Fellaini did that on the street instead of on a football pitch, he would be arrested and charged with common assault. To escape without even a booking is preposterous. Are the FA or the premierleague going to do anything about it? No, I thought not. 👎👎👎🙄
Gloriouser
115
Fellainni is, and has always been, rather like an assassin on the Football Pitch....he has always used his height, bulk to ruin the game of football.....should have received a red card for last night, always fouling, always trying to injure opposing players with feet up tackles, elbows in faces, and pulling shirts or as now, hair..... Hopefully the authorities will severely punish him for this latest act, it really is time Jose got over his infatuation with this destroyer and dropped him in favour of creativity.
particles
106
There were a lot nasty tackles going in from Man U. Couldn't believe that the ref did nothing, it was blatant and right in front of him. Got the impression that the ref bottled a lot of decisions.
ballstarlove
93
Referee Mariner's decisions are always going to be considered controversial and the fact that he's registered blind doesn't help either. But where was the game played, oh that's right old trafford where it's about 1956 since a utd player was sent off.
Riesling
77
Unbelievably incompetent refereeing by Mariner! How on earth does not send Fellaini off for that, never mind not even booking him? How did this guy get to referee EPL football matches when he doesn't penalise players for such obvious infringements?